Crotch, William Robert (Rev), 1799 – 1877.

William R Crotch was born in Oxfordshire. His father was a noted musician / organist (Principal of the Royal Academy of Music when it was established in 1822).

He studied at New College, Oxford and was awarded his M.A. in 1826. He was later a Fellow of the college.

On 21 Jul 1831, in Bridgnorth Shropshire, he married Elizabeth Duppa (groom’s residence given as Kensington Middlesex). In 1848, Elizabeth Duppa Crotch died.

The 1841 Census records William R Crotch at the College, Bishop’s Hull, Taunton Somerset, (with his wife – Elizabeth, and daughter Elizabeth (3)). At this time, he is described as a clergyman.

The 1851 Census record that he was still at the College School, Bishop’s Hull and notes that he was Master of the endowed school and chaplain of the hospital, a widower, living with his sons, and M Crotch (his widowed mother) and servants.

He married Elizabeth Bliss on the 5th July, 1853 (Barnes, Surrey). She died in 1856.

snippet below from London Standard 1853

The 1861 Census finds him at Uphill, Somerset – and notes that he was a “clergyman without cure of souls“, living with a son and a daughter, a cousin and servants.

He later married again – Flora Laurence, in 1865 (July 21st) at Bleadon, Weston Super Mare.

By 1871, the Census records that he was at The Rectory, Wolverton, Warkwickshire, with his wife – Flora, and servants.

A number of sheets / collections associated with Revd. W. R. Crotch can be found at Herbaria@home. He also contributed to the Botanical Society of London – sending specimens – see below (From The Phytologist, vol 4).